Forbes 30 Under 30

Forbes 30 Under 30 is a set of lists issued annually by Forbes magazine and some of its regional editions. The American lists recognize 600 business and industry figures, with 30 selected in twenty industries each. Asia and Europe also each have ten categories, while Africa has a single list of 30 people. Forbes hosts associated conferences and a section of its website called 30 Under 30.

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Forbes launched its 30 Under 30 list in 2011. By 2016, the nominations for the list had reached more than 15,000, with Forbes editors selecting 30 winners for each of 20 categories.[1]

Over time, Forbes has expanded the feature to establish continental lists for Asia,[2] Europe (launched in 2016),[3][4] and Africa.[5]

Forbes also uses the Under 30 name for a dedicated channel on its website, associated with a 30 Under 30 social media app.[6]The Washington Post reports the channel aims to provide "millennial-focused programming to the magazine's many influential consumers."[7] The social media app is a collaboration with Tinder via previous 30 Under 30 honoree Sean Rad, cofounder and president of Tinder.[8]

The 30 Under 30 list has drawn some criticism,[19] including for under-recognition of young racial minorities and women. The Root observed that 29 of 30 journalists honored on the inaugural media list in 2011 were white, and none black or Latino.[20]Elle South Africa noted the gender imbalance of the 2014 lists, asking, "Where are the women?"[21] Demographics of the Forbes selections have continued to draw interest; Poynter reported the 2015 Media list had 18 women, the most in the list's five-year history.[22]